The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, William Cardinal Levada, together with the Secretary for the Congregation for Divine Worship, Abp. Augustine DiNoia, OP, announced the forthcoming Apostolic Constitution directed toward the establishment of permanent Personal Ordinariates for Anglican Christians to be brought into full, visible communion with the successor to St. Peter, the Bishop of Rome. Assuredly, some questions arise, but the provisions as spelled out in the press release are stunning.

Today is the feast day of St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists, an order which has historically been keen on reconciling Anglicans with Rome. Passionist Blessed Dominic Barberi received Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman into the Church after his famous Oxford Movement proved to his satisfaction that true Catholicity is to be found in communion with the Holy See.

Having been for a time a devotee of the Book of Common Prayer, I welcome today’s news with a joyful heart as a sign to the nations that Christ’s Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.